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Polymyalgia Rhuematica

A reader recently wrote in requesting more information about a condition called Polymyalgia Rhuematica. My article ideas often come from the readers who would like the readership to be aware of a certain condition or would like to know more information on a certain topic.

A diagnosis of Polymyalgia Rheumatica is more certain than that of fibromyalgia (FMS) because its characteristics are more certain, even though they have many of the same symptoms.

Polymyalgia Rhuematica occurs most often in people over 50 years old. Other differences include pain localized in the hip and shoulder area, anemia and fever. Fever, in absence of cold/flu/infection symptoms, is the first indicator of the condition.

Ruling out any infectious disease possibilities as well as using tests that look for arthritis are often included with the blood test used to look for red blood cell count.

Unique symptoms include inflammation in the head and neck, which is altogether different that the inflammation that is caused by high blood pressure.

For people who suffer, the combination of symptoms is painful, frustrating and debilitating. Prevention or cure is unknown, but the good news is that in time, the condition will resolve itself. A person can generally expect to suffer with the condition from one to four years.

Corticosteroids are the primary treatment that has been prescribed for many people suffering. It brings along a host of side effects that can be nasty, as anyone who has ever been on this type of medication can tell you. However, it may help alleviate some of the symptoms that come with PR.

Edema in areas of the body can be found, but the most visible is "Moon Face", or the swollen, chubby, round face.

Included in the other side effects are: thinning skin, vision changes, stomach pain, unintentional weight gain, nausea, headache, and in some cases, allergic reactions.

Rather than using medicines that may make them suffer feel worse than before they started, many people prefer to manage the symptoms until it resolves itself by looking at natural remedies. Keep in mind that PR is a temporary, non-progressive condition.

Treatments for fibromyalgia are often used by people who have Polymyalgia Rheumatica because the conditions share a number of similarities. Without having to take medicines, physical therapy, managing pain, enhancing the effectiveness of the sleep cycle, and incorporating targeted relaxation to various muscle groups, can all play a role in managing the condition. For anyone over 50 who suspects they may have PR is to track the symptoms and see the doctor. That is the best course of action. In the absence of the traditional flu/infection symptoms, this is especially important if the symptoms include the tell-tale fever for more than a few days.

Swallowing a pill takes little effort, but natural treatments eliminate the frustrating and often dangerous side effects of the oral corticosteroids that your doctor is likely to prescribe. You may have to pointedly request natural treatments be explored first.